Delisted Geelong midfielder Mitch Hardie has confirmed there is "a little bit" of interest from AFL clubs following his Kardinia Park departure.
Hardie was one of seven Cats players not to be offered a contract for the 2025 season shortly after their preliminary final exit, with premiership duo Gary Rohan and Brandan Parfitt among the list cuts.
The decision to part ways with Hardie also came as some surprise, with the 27-year-old having a stellar season at VFL level to continue his case for a senior call-up.
Hardie - who averaged 28.8 disposals, 5.8 clearances and 4.9 tackles per game while booting 14 goals for the year - claimed VFL Team of the Year honours, was named Geelong's VFL best and fairest and finished fourth in the J.J. Liston Trophy count.
The South Australian was recruited out of the SANFL through the 2023 Mid-Season Draft and went without a debut during his time on Geelong's list, with the hopes of a second AFL chance still burning for the mature-ager.
Speaking onย Trade Radio,ย Hardie confirmed some interest in his services has come through his manager, Nigel Baldwin, as he looks for a career lifeline, with Hardie opening to moving to any corner of the country.
"There's been a little bit (of interest), just talking through my manager. I've sort of left it up to him," Hardie said.
"I'm certainly hopeful that there are a couple of clubs out there that are potentially willing to give me another crack at it.
"I've still got so much good footy to offer and I just hope that there's another one out there willing to take that on.
"It's always been the dream (to play in the AFL). There's no sort of boundary for me as to where I have to go. I've absolutely loved my time here in Geelong, and after having a sort of taste of AFL pretty over the last 18 months, I'm absolutely ready to continue that journey, wherever that may be."
Should another chance in the top flight fail to eventuate for Hardie, the onballer has garnered interest from state league clubs since his Geelong departure.
Hardie hasn't placed much attention toward the strong levels of interest, instead prioritising getting back onto an AFL list.
"The last couple of weeks a fair few other clubs outside the AFL have reached out and all want your services," he revealed
"I haven't really given it a great deal of thought, to be honest. There's a lot of great opportunities out there.
"But for me, it's probably just focusing over the next month or two, hoping there's another (chance in the AFL). If not, then there's plenty of opportunities elsewhere as well."
Hardie said while his Cats exit was "disappointing", he has been able to walk away from the club with some satisfaction knowing he gave his all to Geelong.
"It was obviously disappointing. I absolutely loved my time at the Cats, but it's sort of the business we're in, and sometimes it's just the way it goes,"
"It's unfortunate, but hopefully there's another opportunity out there in the future. I put everything into it and I can walk away knowing that. It was disappointing, but I don't think I could have done too much more from my point of view.
"I would have obviously loved the opportunity (of a new deal)."
Hardie could find a new home via next month's draft window, as a delisted free agent or via the pre-season's Supplemental Selection Period.
